Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-03-19
sANcTITY CAPE POLITICIANS.

too much on principle, and refuses
to get down to the political work
to be done without asking any
questions; in other words, poll
ticians want all the praise they can
get, but no censure or criticism of
their records under any circum-
stances. If our humble work be
judged by our standing in political
circles, we shall be found wanting.
Or if it be judged from any political
criterion, the result will be the same.
Little We care. Too many indi.
viduals have their political predilec-
tons, and such prejudlces blind
them TO their own and the public
good. They can suffer more in
jury with greater patience, if in
fiicted by their o,cn party than they
can or do from the visitations of the
providence which they invoke. But
the masses can be aroused to a
sense of danger and duty, though
often only at the last moment, when
nothing but extreme measures will
save the body polite. The cleaning
out of the Augean Stables of New
York political corruption proves
this. The political condition OF
Maryland, pronounced rotten to the
core BY many of the ablest men and
soundest papers, is another case in
point. Virginia craftsmanship is
no better and the tide is turning
there. Indiana and other Western
States are as bad. What can the
fairest mind say of West Virginia
Look at her political and financial
record the condition of her trusts
and institutions, the personnel of heI
leadership on both sides.
But we started out on another
drift, to show that mems efforts fol
The general welfare of any body OF
organization, are not popularity
accredited; and for that reason
politicians have no other alterna
tive but to risk their fortunes with
The coming and going tide Of
factionalism. It's lose or gain, sue
cess or failure, upon the turn Of
your hand. Reward is surer with
the success of contending political
bosses" or factions, than it Is al
the hands Of public service; it's
quicker, too, but whether it is more
honorable or more permanent is
quite different question. In this
age the success Of a day is every
thing,-the morrow can take care OF
itself.
To get back to our caption, it is
only necessary to say that for the
general run of politicians we have
ueither fear nor respect. Those
who would inspire both stay ont Of
the tainting influence of the cam.
paign and the caucus; and often
those of whom we expect better
things when they do go into public
affairs, are the very ones who show
the ugliest cloyen foot.
What man of years, of integrity,
of means, Of religious and social
standing, expects to gain in politics
is beyond our comprehension.
Upon such a one the public is
justified in building high hopes
but if a collapse comes, its evil
effects are crushing and wide
spread.
In a model of sanity perfection
we look for generosity and brotherly
love; and when we find abuse
aggressiveness, malignity, hatred
ienunciation.-the chills of des
peration and despair harden every
noble impulse. and leave a sad
wreck of perdition in wait.
The more shining the light the
greater the hope and encourage
nent inspired but when We fee
the contrary effects of selfishness
and prejudice, the narrow-miuded
ness that knows no right but its
own, that can suffer neither opposi-
ton nor restraint and brook no
resentment, but defends its i'm.
maculacy and infallibllity with fiery
tongue and iercer threat,-the
curse rises to the lip, doom to the
heart; hope and confidence are
gone, and faith fingers like a flick
ering lamp in the night-air OF
infidelity.
The two greatest virtues, charity
and liberality, are the two most
abused. The darkest stains dis.
figure most their snowy Wilderness.
Fit company for the gods, design
ing men drag them to the haunts of
demons.
Fair and frail but false masks
are they for the sanctity cape poll.
ticians. The recreant to every
sacred trust blush for shame at the
thought. But In holy war" in
politics Heaven itself is besieged to
espouse the cause of the devil.